Bear Exploration Center

Magnet Curriculum

2nd Grade ELA

Rolanda Harrison

Polar Bear Research and Writing

Directions

Objectives: 

Students learned all about polar bears by reading books, articles, and websites. With the facts and information we collected, students wrote an informational paragraph in which they were zookeepers and they had to explain facts about polar bears. Students also had the opportunity to use VR headsets to see real polar bears and explore their icy habitat to collect more information about their topic. 

Directions:

First, students will read the books, articles, and websites about polar bears while collecting information using their graphic organizers. Next, students will watch the VR polar bear video and look closely while exploring their Arctic habitat. Then, students will think about what they learned from both the reading and the VR experience. Finally, students will write an informational paragraph about polar bears using an introduction sentence, three facts about polar bears, and a strong closing sentence. 

Guidelines: 

Students had to write an informational paragraph about polar bears. The paragraphs had to contain an introduction, three sentences that contained true facts about polar bears, and a conclusion sentence. Students had to use complete sentences and best handwriting when it came to their final draft. Students were also encouraged to use vocabulary words such as, habitat, Arctic, cub, fur, and blubber.

When students used the VR headsets, they had to hold them carefully with both hands and follow all teacher directions. Students also had to stay seated, look around slowly, and keep the headset on safely. Lastly, they had to be respectful of the equipment and use it only for learning about polar bears and their Arctic habitat.